This post will be discussing the possibility of drafting an interior defensive lineman with our first pick of the draft.
To me the only position that we’d be guaranteed to draft a starter would be offensive line. And while I think Creed Humphrey is possibly the best choice with our first pick. I think this would be at worst the second best choice here. I think we could get by with our current line, but I’m a big proponent of line play and dont know if we’d want to see Tyre Phillips and Ben Powers competing for left guard, assuming Bozeman moves to center. I also dont see a tackle contributing early unless Orlando is moved, so a developmental piece is the move there in my opinion.
At wr, someone like Marshall would need to develop his blocking to play in the slot, and would need to work on his play strength to play outside. We also signed Sammy Watkins and have Devin Duvernay who is likely to have an increased target share this year. If we need to draft a wr, we can likely do it in the 2nd or 3rd as the heavy depth at the position pushes good players down. We also have the most run heavy offense in the league, so the value of a receiver is already diminished in our offense.
At edge, someone like Ojulari would be primarily be a 3rd down player due to poor run defense, which will come up again in Barmore’s profile. I also find it hard to predict a draft where a good edge option actually falls to 27. Combine this with the fact that I believe edge is one of the deepest positions in the draft, this pick looks unlikely here.
At safety, someone like Moehrig or Grant might be a good addition due to their versatility. Wink needs a centerfielder with the ability to come down and play in the box. However, due to the presence of two decent safeties, and secondary being the strength of the team, I don’t see this being our primary pick here.
At dt, I’m not overly impressed with the options this year so I don't really see us getting a later round player who can quickly develop into a balanced starter. Although finding a nose tackle might be a possibility. However, there is one that I would appreciate even if it wouldn’t seem like the most obvious choice at pick 27. Christian Barmore is the guy. I think dt is a bigger need than we give it credit for. Our two best interior lineman are not on contracts for next year, and also have injury concerns related to their age.
While there is no assuming Barmore falls to 27, I will be making the argument that we should take him assuming he actually does.
So what do we know about Barmore? He’s a 315 lb defensive tackle with elite length and athleticism. His athleticism shows up in his raw strength and in his speed once he gets through the line. He has strong hands and uses them to bully offensive lineman as a pass rusher. Barmore was mainly a 3rd down player in his time at Alabama because he is not a consistent run defender, mainly due to playing with a higher pad level and some effort issues. However I believe he can develop into a plus run defender, given his physical profile. In 2021, he would serve as a rotational piece like any other position we’d draft besides offensive line, however in 2022 he’d be the starter at a major need. This year he could primarily serve as the nose tackle on third down as 5t and 3t would be filled, and he has the size to play the position. Ideally, in 2022, he would take over Campbell’s spot at 3t.
Personally, I believe Barmore would be BPA if he is on the board at 27. I think it would really show some thought for the future if were to draft him. Anyway, let me know some of your thoughts on the matter.
To me the only position that we’d be guaranteed to draft a starter would be offensive line. And while I think Creed Humphrey is possibly the best choice with our first pick. I think this would be at worst the second best choice here. I think we could get by with our current line, but I’m a big proponent of line play and dont know if we’d want to see Tyre Phillips and Ben Powers competing for left guard, assuming Bozeman moves to center. I also dont see a tackle contributing early unless Orlando is moved, so a developmental piece is the move there in my opinion.
At wr, someone like Marshall would need to develop his blocking to play in the slot, and would need to work on his play strength to play outside. We also signed Sammy Watkins and have Devin Duvernay who is likely to have an increased target share this year. If we need to draft a wr, we can likely do it in the 2nd or 3rd as the heavy depth at the position pushes good players down. We also have the most run heavy offense in the league, so the value of a receiver is already diminished in our offense.
At edge, someone like Ojulari would be primarily be a 3rd down player due to poor run defense, which will come up again in Barmore’s profile. I also find it hard to predict a draft where a good edge option actually falls to 27. Combine this with the fact that I believe edge is one of the deepest positions in the draft, this pick looks unlikely here.
At safety, someone like Moehrig or Grant might be a good addition due to their versatility. Wink needs a centerfielder with the ability to come down and play in the box. However, due to the presence of two decent safeties, and secondary being the strength of the team, I don’t see this being our primary pick here.
At dt, I’m not overly impressed with the options this year so I don't really see us getting a later round player who can quickly develop into a balanced starter. Although finding a nose tackle might be a possibility. However, there is one that I would appreciate even if it wouldn’t seem like the most obvious choice at pick 27. Christian Barmore is the guy. I think dt is a bigger need than we give it credit for. Our two best interior lineman are not on contracts for next year, and also have injury concerns related to their age.
While there is no assuming Barmore falls to 27, I will be making the argument that we should take him assuming he actually does.
So what do we know about Barmore? He’s a 315 lb defensive tackle with elite length and athleticism. His athleticism shows up in his raw strength and in his speed once he gets through the line. He has strong hands and uses them to bully offensive lineman as a pass rusher. Barmore was mainly a 3rd down player in his time at Alabama because he is not a consistent run defender, mainly due to playing with a higher pad level and some effort issues. However I believe he can develop into a plus run defender, given his physical profile. In 2021, he would serve as a rotational piece like any other position we’d draft besides offensive line, however in 2022 he’d be the starter at a major need. This year he could primarily serve as the nose tackle on third down as 5t and 3t would be filled, and he has the size to play the position. Ideally, in 2022, he would take over Campbell’s spot at 3t.
Personally, I believe Barmore would be BPA if he is on the board at 27. I think it would really show some thought for the future if were to draft him. Anyway, let me know some of your thoughts on the matter.